Author: john_velis

Measure helps small businesses combat the impacts of inflation

(BOSTON—2/26/2026) The Massachusetts Senate passed legislation today to support neighborhood bodegas, convenience stores, and small family-owned grocery shops by modernizing the unit pricing law.  

The bill ensures that smaller retailers will continue to be exempt from unit pricing requirements. Unit pricing, while a useful price-comparison tool for shoppers at big box stores and supermarkets, could pose a burden for smaller corner stores where unit price shopping is unlikely to occur. 

“Running into your local store is more than just picking up a few things, it’s about seeing familiar faces and supporting a local business in your community,” said Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). “While we work on systemic ways to lower costs for resident and businesses, this is a straightforward, common-sense change that is going to help businessowners who are feeling the pinch. I applaud Senator Moore for driving this issue forward and am thankful to Chair Rodrigues and Chair Payano for their stewardship.” 

“Small businesses are the economic engine of the Massachusetts marketplace economy, and we need to continue to support them as they try to compete against larger grocery stores and chain outlets. This bill will help smaller convenience stores and neighborhood markets stay economically viable by removing sales of Lottery products and gift cards from the annual sales equation,” said Senator Michael J. Rodrigues (D-Westport), Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. “With an ever-increasing proliferation of large-scale national chain grocery stores and big box retailers, supporting community stores will assist in leveling the playing field for our local community stores and markets.” 

Massachusetts has offered an exemption from unit pricing for more than two decades to retailers with lower sales volumes—defined as establishments that generate less than $5 million in in-store sales each year, including sales of Lottery products and gift cards. 

With the steady rise of inflation, introduction of higher-value Lottery products, and increased popularity of pre-paid gift cards, local businesses are more apt to exceed the exemption threshold. The legislation—S.2965, An Act updating the unit pricing exemption threshold—removes Lottery and gift card sales from the calculation of whether a store can be included in the statewide unit price exemption. 

During the course of today’s debate, Senators voted to amend the bill to codify an existing exemption that removes gasoline and other motor fuel sales from the calculation.  

“By exempting Lottery ticket and prepaid gift card sales from the unit pricing threshold calculation, we are helping ensure the financial health of our small, neighborhood convenience stores,” said Senator Pavel M. Payano (D-Lawrence), Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure.“As Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure, I was proud to help advance this update, which strikes the right balance between protecting consumers and supporting our small businesses.” 

“The unit pricing exemption is a simple way to cut expenses for small businesses and support the communities they serve. However, in the two decades since the policy was written into law, the $5 million revenue threshold for the exemption has remained the same while the cost of products has risen significantly,” said Senator Michael O. Moore (D-Millbury), the bill’s lead sponsor. “This legislation makes small tweaks to how a store’s revenue is calculated to ensure the law continues to apply to the corner stores and small businesses it was originally intended to protect. I’d like to thank Senate President Karen Spilka and Ways and Means Chair Michael Rodrigues for recognizing the importance of this issue for our local economies, as well as Senator Pavel Payano and his committee for upholding the spirit of consumer protection laws while making reasonable carveouts for small businessowners who are struggling in today’s economy.” 

The bill was reported to the full Senate by the Committee on Ways and Means with a 16-0 vote on February 23, 2026. All committee votes are posted on the Legislature’s website and full details of the legislation are available in a fact sheet in the Senate Press Room. 

The Senate passed the bill on a 37-0 roll call vote and sent it to the House of Representatives for further review. 

Statements of Support

Jon Hurst, President and CEO, Retailers Association of Massachusetts

“Small markets and convenience stores are important local businesses that serve our neighborhoods, residents, and families every day. The action taken in the Senate today to update our unit pricing law’s small business exemption provides important cost relief to these vital community partners, while preserving the Commonwealth’s strong consumer protection provisions. We applaud and thank Senate President Spilka, Senator Rodrigues, Senator Payano and Senator Moore for their collective leadership on this issue.” 

Peter A. Brennan, Executive Director, New England Convenience Store & Energy Marketers Association

“We thank the Senate for recognizing the importance of supporting small businesses such as our convenience stores by reducing overburdensome regulations on unit pricing. Convenience stores are essential businesses, as we’ve seen most recently with the blizzard, that employ thousands and provide easy access to staple items, including healthy meals, fuel, beverages and other household goods and supplies. Unit pricing regulations protect consumers that shop by product volume, which is not a factor when purchasing lottery products or gift cards. Helping our members manage their bottom lines and protecting them against rising business expenses is crucial to keeping them viable for our communities as vital sources of food, fuel and employment.” 

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Invests in Vital Repair Projects, Lab and Vocational Training Facilities, Campus Supported Housing Development

(BOSTON—2/26/2026) The Massachusetts Senate today unanimously passed the BRIGHT Act, a $3.28 billion bond bill that will invest in upgrades to public higher education campuses across Massachusetts and strengthen the learning experiences of students at community colleges, state universities, and UMass campuses.

The legislation—S.2962, An Act to build resilient infrastructure to generate higher-ed transformation—will update facilities and address the backlog of deferred campus maintenance by harnessing the power of ‘Fair Share’ revenues to back a new state bond issuance.

The generational investment package builds on recent Senate-led policies to make public higher education more affordable and accessible, including tuition-free community college and historic increases to financial aid. Recent advancements make a tuition- and fee-free education possible for all Pell-eligible students attending four-year universities, and allow students from moderate-income families to attend at half the cost.

“Massachusetts students deserve campuses that match the quality of their ambition,” said Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). “The BRIGHT Act will deliver just that: safe, modern, and energy-efficient classrooms that provide a strong foundation for academic and professional success for every student at every public institution in the Commonwealth. I applaud the education leaders who helped shape this bill, the faculty and staff who dedicate themselves to educating our residents, and the students who choose to pursue a world-class education at Massachusetts’ public colleges and universities. I am especially grateful to Chair Comerford for her leadership on this issue, and to Chair Rodrigues and Chair Mark for their stewardship.”

“The Senate has always made strategic investments in higher education a top priority, as we know that advanced education leads to a more highly skilled and compensated Massachusetts workforce. This comprehensive bond bill will help modernize aging college infrastructure and spur housing development in underutilized campus properties, providing a gateway for higher enrollment,” said Senator Michael J. Rodrigues (D-Westport), Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. “I have long been advocating for a higher education deferred maintenance bond bill, and this proposal is the result of a strong working collaboration between the Legislature, the Administration, and the Commonwealth’s public colleges and universities. This initiative also requires smart investment in climate resilience, ongoing decarbonization, and pursues other energy efficient

priorities. I thank Senate President Spilka and Higher Education Chair Comerford for their leadership and work to move this legislation forward.”

“Today, the Senate advanced urgently-needed legislation to transform public higher education infrastructure by leveraging Fair Share dollars to address deferred maintenance, modernize classrooms, and decarbonize campuses,” said Senator Jo Comerford (D-Northampton), Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Higher Education. “I am grateful to Senate President Karen Spilka and Ways and Means Chair Michael Rodrigues for their steadfast leadership and commitment to investing in every facet of public higher education. With the BRIGHT Act, Massachusetts is choosing not to retreat in the face of federal attacks on higher education, but to build forward—creating healthier, more sustainable campuses that reflect the future we are preparing our students to lead.”

An expected $2.5 billion worth of projects over the next 10 years will help cover deferred maintenance, repairs, and major capital projects through a mix of bonding and cash investments. Projects include lab modernization, workforce development facilities, and climate resilience and energy efficiency priorities. The bill will also provide support for public colleges and universities to turn unused campus property into housing or mixed-use developments, and simplify the process for selling or leasing surplus land.

To finance BRIGHT Act projects, the legislation would dedicate $125 million per year from the ‘Fair Share’ surtax on high-earning households to create and back a new special revenue bond. The state collected roughly $3 billion in total Fair Share revenues in 2025.

“The BRIGHT Act makes crucial investments in our public higher education campus facilities that will improve our competitive edge as a state, support equity, workforce development, and long-term growth, and promote increased economic activity including good paying jobs in the building trades, while also ensuring that our students, whether they live in the Berkshires, Boston, or anywhere in between, have access to high quality affordable public higher education,” said Senator Paul W. Mark (D-Becket), Acting Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Bonding, Capital Expenditures and State Assets.

Looking beyond the funding and bonds that would be issued over the next 10 years, the bill ensures the state will permanently bolster the resources that are directed toward higher education capital projects. It requires that the annual $125 million stream of Fair Share surtax revenue continue to be directed toward higher education capital projects in perpetuity.

Originally filed by the Governor, versions of the bill have been heard by the Joint Committee on Higher Education, reviewed by the Joint Committee on Bonding, Capital Expenditures and State Assets, passed by the House of Representatives, and redrafted by the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. The Senate version of the legislation was reported to the full body by the Committee on Ways and Means with a 16-0 vote on February 19, 2026. All committee votes are posted on the Legislature’s website.

The $3.28 billion that the state would be authorized to issue in support of public higher education capital projects includes:

· $1.25 billion for projects on state university and community college campuses;

· $1.25 billion for projects on University of Massachusetts campuses;

· $120 million to support well-equipped laboratories at public higher education institutions, modern facilities to foster career-oriented collaboration between community colleges and vocational technical schools, and health facilities to promote students’ wellbeing;

· $100 million toward the creation of housing and mixed-use developments on campus properties;

· $100 million to advance regional economic and workforce development through a competitive grant program for equipment and facilities for career technical education and training programs;

· $275 million for the Massachusetts College of Art and Design (MassArt) Tower Building, where high priority critical repairs are needed;

· $80 million for campus energy efficiency and decarbonization;

· $50 million for a competitive grant program for capital improvements at public higher education campuses, including climate resilience upgrades;

· $30 million for campus master planning; and

· $20 million for technology improvements that support students and facilitate remote and hybrid learning. Additional details of the bill are available in a fact sheet in the Senate Press Room.

The Senate passed the bill on a 38-0 roll call vote and sent it to the House of Representatives for further review.

Statements of Support

Governor Maura Healey

“The BRIGHT Act is a vital investment to upgrade our college campuses, strengthen our competitiveness and create thousands of construction jobs. This bill will make sure our students have modernized facilities that meet the needs of today’s cutting-edge, applied learning models and better prepare them for success in the workforce. We’re grateful to Senate President Spilka and the Senate for advancing this important bill.”

Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll

“As the first in my family to graduate from college, and a proud graduate of Salem State University, I’ve seen first-hand how life-changing our public college and university campuses can be for students from working-class families. The BRIGHT Act is about strengthening the foundations of our economy. By investing in our higher education campuses, we will create more jobs, and we will prepare more Massachusetts residents to thrive in them.”

Acting Secretary of Education Amy Kershaw

“We know that the spaces that students, staff and faculty spend time in can facilitate or inhibit learning. The BRIGHT Act will transform our public higher education institutions, giving students safe, green, innovative high-quality learning environments that will set them up for the ever-changing workforce of today and tomorrow. I want to thank the Senate for advancing this critical legislation.”

Commissioner of Higher Education Noe Ortega

“Our public higher education students deserve learning spaces that match the high quality of the education they’re receiving and set them up for the best success as they launch careers. I’m grateful that Governor Healey and our legislators see the value of investing in the spaces that will prepare so many of our future nurses, educators, and leaders here in the Commonwealth.”

Linda Thompson, President of Westfield State University; Chair of the State Universities Council of Presidents

“The BRIGHT Act represents a critical opportunity to modernize our learning environments and address long-overdue repairs to our state-owned buildings, which our institution has lacked the resources to complete. The passage of the BRIGHT Act is critical to ensuring our campuses remain competitive, relevant, and responsive to

the rapidly evolving workforce and educational landscape. To prepare students for the future, we must first bring our classrooms into the present.”

Nate Mackinnon, Executive Director, Massachusetts Association of Community Colleges

“The BRIGHT Act represents an important acknowledgement that Massachusetts’ public higher education system is in need of targeted investments in order to best serve our students. The community colleges have done their best to keep up with the ever-growing need for deferred maintenance, but the BRIGHT Act represents a new day for strategic, targeted investment in the infrastructure of public higher education. We are grateful to the Senate for advancing this important legislation and look forward to final passage.”

University of Massachusetts President Marty Meehan

“At UMass, we are extremely grateful for the Senate’s action today in passing the BRIGHT Act, which makes a generational investment in public higher education that will benefit our students and communities for decades. By dedicating this significant funding for UMass, this critical capital investment creates significant opportunities across all five campuses to modernize facilities, lower emissions, and provide learning opportunities for the next generation of the Commonwealth’s workforce. I would like to thank Senate President Karen Spilka, Ways & Means Chair Michael Rodrigues, Higher Education Committee Chair Jo Comerford, and the entire Senate, as well as Governor Healey for her leadership in proposing this important investment in the Commonwealth’s public higher education institutions.”

Mary K. Grant, President of Massachusetts College of Art and Design

“Investments in campus infrastructure are investments in student success. This legislation will enable MassArt to modernize facilities, strengthen programs that support in-demand fields, and prepare our students to lead in today’s creative, cultural, and innovation economy. I am so grateful to the Healey-Driscoll Administration for introducing this transformative and visionary legislation and I thank the Senate for acting on this today. These investments will strengthen campuses across the Commonwealth, have a significant impact in our communities, and support the world class, life changing education and experiences our students deserve.”

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Hello everyone,

Have you made your Valentine’s Day plans yet? Well luckily later today the Southampton Fire Department will be hosting a Community CPR Class over at Town Hall from 1PM to 3PM. This is great opportunity to learn hands only CPR, AED use, and other lifesaving skills. When an emergency arises being able to provide CPR for someone you love helps buys precious time until EMS is able to arrive!

Team Velis started the week on Monday with a meeting of the Special Commission on the Public Health Effects of Xylazine to discuss their findings and create potential recommendations for the Commission’s final report, which is due late next month. Over the past eight months, public safety officials, public health experts, veterinarians, and lawmakers on the Commission have worked together to understand this contaminant and the devastating harm it is causing in our communities. The draft recommendations discussed will help ensure that we can support those struggling with addiction and exposed to Xylazine or other harmful contaminants.

This week Team Velis met with a few different groups of constituents both here in the district and over at the State House. From discussions on the benefits of early childhood education, ways to make housing more affordable, and much more; we sincerely appreciate the time and effort these constituents dedicated to visiting our offices throughout the week.

This week the Senate considered three consumer protection bills. This includes legislation to strengthen fair housing practices for home buyers and renters, updating the state’s Lemon Law to provide a more reasonable timeline to have a vehicle inspected following its purchase, and updating the educational requirement for certified public accountants to include a mix of both college education and work experience. With these three bills having passed the Senate on Thursday they will be sent to the House of Representatives for future consideration.

This week Team Velis held office hours in Chicopee and West Springfield. Next week we will be hosting office hours at the Easthampton Council on Aging on Tuesday from 10:30am to 11:30am and again on Wednesday at the Holyoke Council on Aging from 10:00am to 11:00am. If you are unable to make office hours, you can reach us by email,  john.velis@masenate.gov, by phone, (413) 572-3920, and online at senatorjohnvelis.com.   

Wishing all of our local students and educators a fun and safe February break next week!

Team Velis

Hello Everyone,

We hope you all had a great week despite the disappointing news on Groundhog’s Day predicting 6 more weeks of all this cold winter weather. However, on the bright side, we’ve finally moved past some of the darkest days of the year, and we can all enjoy an extra little bit of sunlight after the workday!

Team Velis kicked off the week with some very exciting news out of Easthampton. This past Sunday, Easthampton High School’s We The People class competed out in Boston where they took home the State Championship title yet again! All of us are thrilled to see this class continue to succeed each year at the state and national levels, none of which would be possible without the dedication of their incredible civics teachers and mentors!

On Monday, Mark joined the Massachusetts Manufacturing Caucus for a tour and discussion at Johnson & Johnson; a leader in manufacturing, training, and education right here in Massachusetts! Manufacturing is critically important to the Commonwealth’s economy and future. Visits like this showcase the innovation and collaboration driving growth across our state, including right here in Western Mass. An added bonus was that Mark’s sister coincidentally shared a presentation with the caucus on behalf of Johnson & Johnson!

Up on Beacon Hill, Caitlyn was thrilled to have the opportunity to meet with constituents from Easthampton and West Springfield that were visiting the State House this week to advocate for issues most important to them. This included great discussions about ways that we can improve roadway safety across the state and help families of high school students better navigate the financial aid application process. While our Boston Office always loves having the opportunity to chat with constituents when they are at the State House, we are always happy to meet with constituents right here in the district as we always want to remain accessible!

Friday was a busy day in the district filled with legislative gatherings to discuss budget and general policy priorities with our incredible community partners. Bridget and Mark were grateful for the opportunity to connect with both local shelter providers at the Western Massachusetts Network to End Homelessness gathering as well as the DDS Holyoke & Chicopee Citizen Advisory Board meeting.

We are so excited to share that this week the Massachusetts Cultural Council awarded $15,000 grants to support the cultural district in Easthampton, Holyoke, and Westfield! These investments will strengthen local arts and culture, empower artists, and drive economic growth across our communities.

This week Team Velis held office hours in Agawam. Next week we will be hosting office hours at the Chicopee Council on Aging on Tuesday from 10:00am to 11:00am and again on Wednesday at the West Side Council on Aging from 11:00am to 12:00pm. If you are unable to make office hours, you can reach us by email,  john.velis@masenate.gov, by phone, (413) 572-3920, and online at senatorjohnvelis.com.   

Go Pats!

Team Velis

Legislation Reforms Literacy Education Standards, Aids Teachers’ Professional Development

(BOSTON—1/29/2026) The Massachusetts Senate today passed legislation that supports young learners by ensuring reading instruction is rooted in proven, evidence-based practices.

The bill creates new statewide standards for literacy education and assessment, offers professional development resources for educators, and offers flexible options and supplemental funding for public schools that work to implement evidence-based curricula.

The bill, S.2924, An Act relative to teacher preparation and student literacy, ensures that every Massachusetts student from kindergarten to 3rd grade learns to read using phonics, fluency, vocabulary, comprehension, and phonemic awareness—practices that data show as the best building blocks for lifetime learning.

“Our state’s future success is built on ensuring that our children become confident readers,” said Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). “Today, the Senate passed legislation to do just that—ensuring every child in a Massachusetts public school is taught using proven, research-based methods, while providing educators and school districts with the resources they need to succeed. This legislation builds on years of work to advance equity in our schools and ensure that, no matter a child’s background, every student can access a world-class, data-driven education. I am grateful to Chair Rodrigues and Chair Lewis for their work on this legislation, and to Senator DiDomenico for his leadership in filing it.”

“Reading proficiency is a fundamental tenet of early education, when brain development is at its highest. While Massachusetts has been a recognized leader in early education, utilizing proven evidence-based learning models will only further improve our academic standards,” said Senator Michael J. Rodrigues (D-Westport), Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. “This legislation will not only help close achievement gaps and help disadvantaged learners, but it will support and strengthen teacher development and educator standards for all public schools in the Commonwealth. This comprehensive bill lays the foundation for a more skilled and adaptable workforce, essential to the state’s economic success and competitiveness.”

To support school districts and educators with implementation, the legislation would create a new Early Literacy Fund seeded with $25 million in ‘Fair Share’ funding to help districts with costs and support educators’ professional development. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) would also make additional professional development resources available.

“It is unacceptable that less than half of young students in Massachusetts are proficient in reading at their grade level. This important legislation ensures that educators use evidence-based early literacy curricula that are backed by science while leaving schools the option to decide what curriculum is best for their students and teachers,” said Senator Jason M. Lewis (D-Winchester), Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Education. “Strengthening student literacy through evidence-based instruction is a bipartisan issue with decades of scientific research backing it up. With the passage of this bill, the

Massachusetts Senate continues its commitment to providing a high-quality education for all students across the Commonwealth.”

“Today is a monumental moment for children across our state because we are passing my bill through the Senate to ensure all our students learn essential literacy skills,” said Senator Sal N. DiDomenico (D-Everett), lead Senate sponsor of the legislation. “We can all agree that teaching our kids to read and write is one of the most important skills we can instill in them, but far too many children in our schools are not meeting basic literacy benchmarks. Working with our teachers and administrators, this legislation will institute evidence-based curriculum to ensure all our students’ success in early literacy and give them the bright futures they deserve. I want to thank Senate President Spilka, Education Chair Lewis, my staff, the educators, and the advocates for their dedication to pushing this needed policy change over the finish line.”

Schools would have three DESE-approved options to implement the new curriculum requirement: utilize a complete curriculum that is made available for free by DESE; use a curriculum from a list that meets evidence-based criteria; or receive a waiver authorizing the use of another curriculum that meets the same standards but had not been previously reviewed and approved by DESE.

The legislation makes sure parents and schools engage in constructive communication about student progress. It requires twice-yearly assessments to gauge every young learner’s reading progress and to screen for dyslexia, and requires schools to contact a parent or guardian within 30 days if a student has fallen significantly behind and propose a response if that is the case.

Full details of the legislation are available in a fact sheet in the Senate’s press room.

The Senate Committee on Ways and Means advanced the bill to the full Senate with a 13-0 vote on January 22, 2026. A previous draft was approved by the House of Representatives on October 29, 2025. All of the underlying Senate and House bills were initially reviewed by the Joint Committee on Education, which solicited public testimony at a hearing on September 16, 2025. All committee votes are posted on the Legislature’s website.

The Senate passed the bill on a 38-0 roll call vote, and the legislation was sent to the House of Representatives to reconcile the few differences between Senate and House bills.

Statements of Support

Mary Tamer, Founder and Executive Director, MassPotential

“This is an historic and necessary step forward for education in Massachusetts. Senate President Spilka and Senator DiDomenico have championed a transformative literacy bill that will change the trajectory of countless students across the Commonwealth, all of whom deserve the right to read. This legislation doesn’t just mandate best practices—it opens the door to opportunity for every child in every district. Reading is the foundation upon which all learning is built, and today, we are one step closer to guaranteeing that no child will be denied the bright future that literacy makes possible.”

Luisa Sparrow, Boston Public Schools Teacher; 2025 Mass. Teacher of the Year

“We become teachers because we dream of helping students learn. Learning to read is the most important academic skill we can possibly teach our students. But when we enter the classroom, too many educators realize we don’t have all the tools we need to actually teach our students to read. This bill will give teachers the tools we need to be effective in the classroom so that ALL students have the opportunity to attain the literacy skills they deserve.”

Dr. De’Shawn C. Washington, Founder and President, Cultivating Changemakers; 2024 Mass. Teacher of the Year

“The ability for a child to read is one of the greatest and most essential gifts an educator can ever bestow. Literacy is a civil right, and it is the civic responsibility of the village to raise our children so they are empowered to become lifelong readers. The Right to Read Bill is a monumental step towards honoring that responsibility. By passing this legislation, Massachusetts affirms that every child attending school in the Commonwealth has the right to learn to read and use literacy as a vessel for purpose, possibility, and liberation. This bill also honors our educators by equipping them with the evidence-based tools and training needed to teach reading exceptionally well to our students. When we ground literacy instruction in research

and invest in our teachers in training, we invest in a future where 100% of our children can read, learn, and lead, with confidence and boldness.”

Nancy Duggan, Executive Director, Decoding Dyslexia MA

“All students need to start their academic careers with strong foundational reading skills. This legislation ensures high quality standards for that to happen in every classroom across the Commonwealth.”

Dr. Sarah Fennelly, President, The Reading League Massachusetts

“Reading is more than a subject in school. It is a life skill every person needs to be a productive member of society. It is also a right, not a privilege. It is not a developmental milestone; it requires direct instruction by educators. We have research and evidence to show that there are best practices to teach children this important skill, and that there are practices that have been shown to be ineffective for a majority of students. This bill will ensure that best practices are applied so all students are taught this important life skill. This is not just best for students, it is best for all of us as a society to create a generation of well read, critical thinkers who can make important decisions and become the future leaders we need.”

Jennie Williamson, State Director, EdTrust MA

“Today marks a defining moment for literacy in Massachusetts. With the Senate’s passage of comprehensive literacy legislation, our state is taking bold action to close long standing equity gaps that have held too many students back—not because of ability, but because they lacked access to the instruction and support every child deserves. This bill helps change that by ensuring students in every community receive evidence based literacy instruction from well prepared educators. We are deeply grateful to Senate leadership for tackling this urgent issue, and to the MassReads coalition for the fierce advocacy that made this milestone possible.”

Bithiah Carter, President and CEO, Give Black Alliance

“The right to read has always been a civil right, won through struggle, sacrifice, and lives lost. Our 21st century responsibility is to finish the work by protecting this right, because when every child can read, knowledge becomes liberation, and democracy survives. When our children look back on this moment, we want to be on the right side of history.”

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Hello everyone,

We hope you all are shoveled out from the winter storm and were able to keep warm despite this week’s frigid temperatures. As a reminder our office remains available to assist constituents with applications for fuel assistance or to locate a nearby warming center.

A huge thank you is in order to all of the DPW crews, first responders, and utility workers who braved last weekend’s storm and worked tirelessly in the cold to clear our roads and keep our communities safe. Thank you!

While the storm unfortunately impacted our monthly office hours in Westfield on Monday, Team Velis remained hard at work. To kick off the week, Bridget joined Holyoke Community College for their annual legislative breakfast which was moved to a virtual location to ensure everyone remained safe. We are fortunate to have such a robust community college in our district. Whether providing high school students their first college experiences or helping adults learn new skills, Holyoke Community College is always making significant contributions to our communities!

This week our office was proud to join members of the Massachusetts State Senate in strongly urging the Department of Public Utilities to reject any proposal from utility companies to charge residents interest on payment deferral plans intended to provide relief. Heating assistance should be about helping families stay warm during the winter, not about turning a profit. In addition to this week’s letter, the Senator has been pushing several bills before the legislature that aim to reduce delivery charges and high rates that so many constituents are seeing on their bills each month. As everyday costs continue to rise, Senator Velis and our office remain steadfast in our commitment to focusing on policies and initiatives that prioritize affordability and support everyday families.

Prior to the weekend, Team Velis participated in the Human Service Forum Annual Legislative Reception. Each year, Senator Velis looks forward to this gathering as it brings together so many dedicated front line community providers to advocate for the issues that will best support their efforts in assisting our community’s most vulnerable residents. Although the Senator was unable to attend this year, our office greatly appreciated the opportunity to represent him and engage with attendees on his behalf. Later that day, we attended the Western Massachusetts Economic Development Council’s inaugural roundtable discussion with their new President, and proud Holyoke resident, Aaron Vega. Our office and the Senator look forward to continuing to collaborate with Aaron in his new role to enhance economic opportunities not only in Holyoke but throughout Western Massachusetts.

This week Team Velis held office hours in Russell and Southampton. Next week we will be hosting office hours at the Agawam Council on Aging on Monday from 11:00am to 12:00pm. If you are unable to make office hours, you can reach us by email,  john.velis@masenate.gov, by phone, (413) 572-3920, and online at senatorjohnvelis.com.   

Sincerely,  

Team Velis